By Solomon Odeniyi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has released former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, a day after he was detained over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals totalling N189 billion.
Tambuwal, who currently represents Sokoto South in the Senate, was freed on Tuesday after meeting his bail conditions.
The former governor, who also served as Speaker of the House of Representatives, had honoured an EFCC invitation on Monday, arriving at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja at about 11:30 a.m.
He was subsequently interrogated and detained overnight.
EFCC sources alleged that the withdrawals in question contravened the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“The withdrawals were in flagrant violation of the Act,” one official said, noting that investigations are ongoing.
Speaking to our correspondent on Tuesday, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that Tambuwal had been released.
“He has been granted administrative bail. He met the bail conditions and has been released,” the source said.
Efforts to reach EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, for comment were unsuccessful as calls to his phone went unanswered, and he did not reply to messages.
Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had condemned Tambuwal’s detention, alleging political persecution.
In a post on X, Atiku claimed the move was part of a plan by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to pressure opposition figures into joining the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“The only reason the @officialEFCC has detained the former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, @AWTambuwal, is because he is a member of the opposition coalition.
“It is a continuation of the Tinubu-led administration’s agenda to harass, intimidate, and decimate the opposition,” he wrote.
